Red Sox, city of Lowell working to keep baseball in Lowell community
BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox and the City of Lowell today announce that they are working to keep baseball in the Lowell community. The two sides are in the early stages of evaluating various opportunities for the 2021 season, and will continue to discuss longer-term options in the weeks ahead.
“For over a year, we have worked with Congresswoman Trahan, Lowell City Manager Eileen Donoghue, Major League Baseball, and Lowell Spinners ownership to examine every option that would keep baseball in the City of Lowell,” said Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy. “We are exploring what form that could take in 2021, and are committed to maintaining the 24-year-long tradition of baseball in the Lowell community. We are grateful to Governor Baker, Senator Markey, and Senator Warren for their support of our collective efforts, and look forward to our continued work with Lowell’s public officials as we develop and formalize our plans.”
“Over the past year, my team and I have worked diligently to keep baseball here in Lowell. Like everyone in our community, we know how important the Red Sox are to our city and how valuable Lowell is to the Red Sox,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. “Thanks to the commitment of City Manager Donoghue, Senators Markey and Warren, Governor Baker, members of the Save the Spinners Task Force, and fans and supporters throughout the Merrimack Valley, we share that understanding with the Red Sox. We are proud to be working closely with them to not only keep baseball in Lowell, but to also keep the Red Sox in Lowell, and we look forward to announcing our plans once finalized.”
“Since the Spinners’ first season in 1996, the Lowell community and the City have demonstrated an enduring appreciation of the indispensable asset that professional baseball represents to our region. This has been reflected in the strength of our team’s fan base and the continual investments put forward by the City to make LeLacheur Park a top-class baseball facility,” said City Manager Eileen Donoghue. “We believe strongly that baseball belongs in Lowell, and we are grateful that the Red Sox share in our commitment to ensure that it remains part of our community into the future.”
“For the past year, our goal has been to ensure that the Lowell Spinners can continue their legacy of providing an affordable and entertaining experience for Merrimack Valley families, economic vitality to the City of Lowell, and an opportunity to see and cheer on players who can go on to reach Major League Baseball fame,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “We are encouraged by the commitment and dedication from the Red Sox and the City to keep baseball in Lowell and look forward to continuing our work to protect this greatest of pastimes for years to come.”
“For over 20 years, baseball has played an integral cultural and economic role in the City of Lowell and the surrounding Merrimack Valley region, and has been supported by baseball fans of all ages across Massachusetts,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “I am deeply grateful for Congresswoman Trahan’s tireless advocacy to keep baseball and the Red Sox in Lowell and I will continue to fight alongside her and Senator Markey until these plans are finalized.”
“I am grateful to the Red Sox for their commitment to continue to work with the City and officials to ensure that a 25th season of baseball will be played at LeLacheur Park,” said Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. “Baseball has been an integral part of recovering from national crises in the past, and maintaining baseball in Lowell will help ensure that it can play that role again for fans throughout in the Merrimack Valley.”